Bolivia VS Brazil Match Prediction

Brazil and Bolivia have played a total of just 28 times at this level since 1930.  Brazil have won 20 times, drawn three, and lost five.  Here's a look at the last five results:

Oct 7, 2016: Brazil 5-0 Bolivia (WCQ)
Apr 6, 2013: Bolivia 0-4 Brazil (Friendly)
Oct 11, 2009: Bolivia 2-1 Brazil (WCQ)
Sep 10, 2008: Brazil 0-0 Bolivia (WCQ)
Oct 9, 2005: Bolivia 1-1 Brazil (WCQ)

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Bolivia vs Brazil Betting Tips and Odds

Bet365 have the following odds available for this match:

Bolivia are at 3/1 to win, a draw is at 13/5, and a Brazil win is at 17/20.

Brazil are the favorites in the eyes of the bookmakers, but a great deal of respect has been shown to Bolivia because of their fortress in the heavens.  The Brazilians are a very strong side, and they would be HUGE favorites at home or on neutral ground.  But here is where everything changes.

In fact, before Brazil won in the reverse fixture, it had been over ten years since their last win in qualification against Bolivia.  Part of that was (likely) due to Brazil's place as hosts in the 2014 World Cup, but it shows that Bolivia are very strong at home and can be a real pain to Brazil.

There is little at stake in terms of the group, so this could be a time to experiment for Brazil and see who might just fill out the roster in Russia in less than a year.  Because of that, Bolivia could just about edge it.

Bolivia +1 is at 19/20.

Bolivia vs Brazil Prediction

Bolivia make it three big scalps in a row at home as Brazil join Argentina and Chile as losers in La Paz.

Correct Score Prediction: Bolivia 1-0 Brazil

Team News

Maurico Soria will be without midfielder Alejandro Chumacero here as he serves a suspension for picking up two yellow cards in the win over Chile last month.  Left back Enrique Flores and midfielder Pablo Escobar did not get called up this time around.   

Key Man

A man that comes into this match in fine goal scoring form is striker Marcelo Moreno.  The 30 year old has played for numerous Brazilian clubs in his day, but he currently plays for Chinese second division side Wuhan Zall.  He's scored 19 times and assisted seven more for them this season, but has only scored once in the cycle, in the win over Argentina.  Oh, and he's a former Brazilian youth international, so he will also have that added bit of motivation ahead of this encounter. 

Team Form

Bolivia have been in encouraging form, winning four times and losing just once in their last five matches:

1-0 home win vs Chile
2-1 loss at Peru
3-2 home win vs Nicaragua (Friendly)
0-1 away win vs Nicaragua (Friendly)
2-0 home win vs Argentina

Bolivia Predicted Starting Line-up

Expected Line-up: 3-4-3

Team News

Tite has made some interesting moves to his squad, call up the likes of Danilo, veteran midfielder Diego and Fred, and striker Diego Tardelli.  With qualification locked up, it's hard to see them throwing a full team in at such high altitude, so it could be a group of young/fringe players suiting up here.  

Key Man

One man that can make a huge difference at altitude is winger Willian.  The Chelsea man is one of the fittest players on offer in the Premier League, and he also has plenty of quality to show to go along with it as well.  The 29 year old has something to prove, along with a good chunk of the team, if they want to earn a place on the plane to Brazil.  This could be just the chance he needs to grab some goals and seal the call.  

Team Form

Brazil have three wins, a draw, and a loss in their last five matches:

1-1 draw at Colombia
2-0 home win vs Ecuador
0-4 win at Australia (Friendly)
0-1 home loss vs Argentina (Friendly)
3-0 home win vs Paraguay

Brazil Predicted Starting Line-up

Expected Line-up: 4-3-3

11,292 feet. That's the number of feet above sea level that La Paz. This is the one thing that gives minnows Bolivia a chance in qualification, and it's the thing that will seriously test the Brazilians in this match. We don't know what kind of team to expect from them, but the altitude is going to be their toughest test. Only the fittest survive at that altitude, and we've seen Argentina and Chile falter their recently. Brazil could be set to join them.

The two losses Brazil have suffered since the turn of the century to Bolivia were away to their hosts.